Ghana: Church Officials Defend Residents Whose Land is Being Stolen

The Catholic Church in Ghana has stepped in to help citizens who have had their lands confiscated.

ChristianToday.com reports that Ghana is facing a land-grabbing epidemic. The issue was so severe that the church decided it needed to step in.

The church commissioned research into the problem and came up with a 48-page report titled “Unmasking Land Grabbing in Ghana; Restoring Livelihoods; paving the way for Sustainable Development Goals.”

The report seeks to raise awareness of the issues faced by many local residents who have had their lands stolen and to encourage the government to take action to stop this practice.

"It is our hope that this conversation that we are beginning today would help deepen our understanding on the issues involved to enable the bishops to take actions based on informed position," said Samuel Zan Akologo, executive secretary of Caritas Ghana.

Another church leader said the initiative was inspired by Pope Francis’ Laudato Si, an outline of how to care for the earth as Christians.

"This should include analyses of the current situation, concrete proposals for dialogue and action and consensus building,” stated Rev. Fr. Wisdom Larweh, assistant secretary general of the National Catholic Secretariat. “He [The Pope] states that the Church does not presume to settle scientific questions or to replace politics but wishes to encourage an honest and open debate and dialogue so that there will be a united effort at saving the earth which is our common good.”